City school official takes leave

June 03, 1991|By Mark Bomster | Mark Bomster,Evening Sun Staff

Robert L. Clinkscale, assistant superintendent of vocational, alternative and adult education in Baltimore, is on personal leave from the system after his indictment in Cleveland on charges of theft in office and receiving improper compensation when he worked for the Cleveland schools in the early 1980s. He has pleaded not guilty.

Clinkscale, 58, who has been with the Baltimore school system since 1989, was indicted along with three others in May in connection with real estate partnerships that involved Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White, who was not indicted.

A report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer said Clinkscale and another employee oversaw a job-training program for Cleveland students in 1983 and 1984. Cleveland students worked on projects connected with two real estate partnerships that were the focus of the investigation, according to the report.

Clinkscale and the second employee allegedly were paid through a job-training grant for work included in their school board job descriptions, the newspaper reported.

Clinkscale notified Baltimore school department officials about the charges last Wednesday and "is on personal leave from the Baltimore school system until the situation is resolved in the Cleveland courts," according to a school department statement.

Asked about the situation, Clinkscale said, "The attorneys are dealing with it, and I've been instructed not to make any comment."

As assistant superintendent in Baltimore, Clinkscale was in charge of vocational schools, alternative schools and adult education programs. While he is on leave, his duties are being handled by Herman A. Howard, associate superintendent for special programs.